Vehicle



March 13, 1945. WA C 2,371,368

VEHICLE Filed Oct. 16, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l Elmo/14M fzfiver 111/149: 1005 m dew-M March 1945- H. w. WALLACE VEHICLE Filed Oct. 16, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 13, 1945. H w W C 2,371,368

VEHICLE Filed Oct. 16, 1942 5 Sheets-$heet 3 wa ww March 13, H w WALLACE v VEHICLE:

Filed Oct. 16, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 13, 1945 Application October 16, 1942, Serial No. 462,310

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a vehicle,'and more particularly to a tank which is propelled by means of an operating leg.

One of the objectsof this invention is to provide a tank having an extensible leg capable of imparting a series of vertical oscillations to the tank, and having means to vary the angle of inclination of the leg to obtain directional movement of the tank.

Another of the objects of the invention is to provide a tank which is adapted to traverse difficult terrain.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tank which is propelled in such a manner that its progress is intermittent, thereby rendering it a difilcult target.

Still another object is to provide a tank provided with means whereby the direction of its course may be rapidly changed, thereby rendering it a difficult target.

Yet another object is to provide a tank which provides an improved mount from which to aim a gun due to its mode of progress.

Yet another object is to provide a tank which provides the means whereby the direction of vision of each'gunner remains approximately the same.

A further object is to provide a tank which, when at rest, affords adequate protection for the propelling mechanism, thereby permitting its use as a pill box. I

With these and other objects in view, this invention embraces broadly the concept of provid ing a tank which is propelled by means of a collapsible leg. When in collapsed position the leg is fully protected by the wall of the tank, thereby permitting the use of the device as a pill box without exposing the operating mechanism.

The leg is fully extended to operating position by means of an expansible force, such as compressed air or an explosive charge. During its travel, the tank is stabilized by the action of a gyroscope.

The tank is propelled by the bounding efi'ect imparted by the reciprocable movement of a ground engaging. element which is nested in the leg. This movement is eifected by the combustion of fuel oil within the leg on 2. Diesel principle. This operation is controlled from a pilots turret.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side ,elevationabyiew of a tank showing in full lines the extended position of the operating leg and in the dotted lines the tank resting on the ground.

Figure 2 is a fragmental plan view of the tank.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the movement of the tank.

Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, of the tank showing the leg in col-lapsed position.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of the Figure a locking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the pilots turret.

Figure '7 is a transverse sectional view of the control column.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of the Figure 7 looking in the direction of the arrows. 1

Figure 9is a detailed sectional view, partly in elevation, of the control. pedal.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line Ill-i0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a transverse 01QS21$8CT210H&1 view taken along the axis of the pedal spindle which is shown in elevation in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view of the operating leg.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line l3l3 of Figure 12 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 14 is a detail elevational view of one of the ,leg bushings.

Figure 15 is a fragmental sectional view of the leg cylinder head showing modified means for initially extending the leg.

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic view showing the piping, electrical connections and their associated parts.

Referring to the drawings, the tank comprises a cylindrical body portion I having a domed roof 2 in which is mounted for rotation a turret 3. The bottom 4 of the body is likewise spherical and is provided with a, centrally located well 5, as best shown in Figure 4. Arranged around the periphery of the body portion I are a plurality of pivoted gun turrets or blisters 6 through which extend guns 1. Projecting axially downward from the body I is an extensible operating leg designated generally as 3 which is provided with a universally pivoted foot 9.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a raised floor In which divides the body into superposed compartments II and I2. The compartment II is adapted to provide space for the gunners, ammunition magazines, etc., while the space I! is utilized for the operating mechanism for the tank. In order to simplify the drawings, the operating mechanism has not been shown in Figure 4 but is shown diagrammatically in Figure 16.

' A gyroscopic stabilizing device indicated generally as I3 is positioned within the body I substantially about the center of gravity of the body. This stabilizer comprises two pairs of gyroscopes I4 and I 5. The pair of gyroscopes I4 are mounted to revolve in opposite directions in parallel planes which are angularly adjustable with respect to the axis of the compression leg 8 while the pair of gyroscopes I5 are mounted to revolve in opposite directions in parallel planes arranged at right angles to the planes of revolution of the gyroscopes I4. The planes of revolution of the gyroscopes I5 are also adjustable with respect to the axis of the compression leg 8 while maintaining their parallel relation to each other. Each of the individual gyroscopes I4 and I5 include a wheel I6 journaled in bearings I6 within a casing IT. This arrangement of the four gyroscopes is to prevent precession when stress isplaced upon the gyroscopes axes and to maintain the tank against revolution about the axis of the compression leg.

The wheels I 6 are provided with turbine blades I8 which coact with a source of compressed air indicated at I9 to impart motion to the wheels. Each casing I1 is journaled for pivotal movement in bearings about a horizontal axis at right angles to the axis I6. The bearings 20 are carried in angular up-right posts 2I positioned between fioor and ceiling beams 22 and 23, respectively, which form a part of the body structure.

To provide for relative movement between the body I and the stabilizer I3. one of each of the pairs of gyroscopes I4 and I5 is operatively connected with the body by means of hydraulic cylinders 24 and 25, respectively. The head end of each of these cylinders 24 and 25 is pivotally attached, as shown at 26, t a bracket 26' which is in turn connected to one of the ceiling beams 23. The piston rod 21 extends through the opposite end of each of these cylinders and is pivotally connected, as shown at 28, to the periphery of the gyroscope housing I1. Tie rods 29 and 30 are provided to operatively connect diametrically opposite gyroscopes, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The pilot's turret 3. as best shown in Figure 6, comprises a lower cylindrical portion 3I provided with a floor 32 and a frusto-conical upper portion 33 which extends above the roof 2 and is provided with a domed roof 34 and an observation slot 35. The turret 3 is mounted for rotation in a well 36 provided centrally in the upper surface 2 of the body in antifrictional bearings, located as shown at 31 and 38. Attached beneath the floor 32 concentrically with the turret 3 is a ring gear 40 which meshes with a Pinion 4| driven by a geared motor 42 for imparting rotary movement to the turret. The control of this movement is effected by means of a control pedal of which there may be a duplicated dummy, indicated generally as 43, and which will be described in more detail later. Also located centrally within the turret is a control column 44 for controlling the directional movement of the tank and a pilots seat 45 diametrically aligned with the pedal unit 43 on the opposite side of the control column 44.

The control column 44, as best shown in Figure '7, comprises a tubular pedestal 46 attached by means of a flanged fitting 41 to the bottom wall of the well 36. The upper portion of the pedestal 46 is enlarged, as shown at 48, and has attached therein operating valves 49, 49' and 50, 50. These valves are three-way piston-type valves and are provided with upwardly extending stems 5I having semispherical heads 52. Disposed between the heads 52 and the body portion of the valves are helical springs 53 which normally tend to force the heads upward.

An operating handle 54 is universally attached by means of a ball and socket joint 55 to a flanged support 56 securely attached, as shown at 51, to the valves, The handle 54 is provided with a circular flange 58 which is adapted to engage the heads 52 of each of the valves in such a manner that when the handle is in its vertical position, as shown in Figure 7, all of these valves are adapted to be in their closed position. Angular displacement of the handle 54, however, will cause one of the stems 5I to be depressed and the diametrically opposite stem to be extended to cause a flow of hydraulic fluid through the valves in a manner which will be described later. An arcuate flange 59 is provided on the handle 54 cooperating with a dome cover 59 to provide a dust-free enclosure for the valve mechanism.

In order to provide for electrical connection between apparatus respectively located in the body of the tank and the rotating turret, I provide a distributor -60 provided with contact rings 6I. The distributor 60 is insulated from the pedestal 46 and rotates therewith. Each of the ring Ill has connected thereto a conductor 62 which conductors are gathered to form a cable 63 extending from the column 44 through the well 36 and into the interior of the body I. Each of the rings BI is adapted to engage a brush 64. Each of these brushes 64 is electrically connected by means of conductors 65 to the electrical control apparatus located in the turret 3. Hydraulic fluid from its source of supply is conducted through conduits 66 which extend through the column 44 to the valves mounted therein and from these valves back through the column 44 to the operating cylinders 24 and 25.

Referring now to Figure 9 which illustrates the control pedal apparatus, I have shown a casing 51 attached to the floor 32 of the turret 3 and which is provided with a bearing sleeve 68. Mounted in the sleeve 18 for rotary movement is a spindle 69 provided with a flanged outer end I0 having a peripheral eye member II. A pedal I2 having a bifurcated extension 13 on its lower surface is pivotally attached to the eye member I I, as shown at I4.

Spindle 69 is centrally step bored, as shown at I5, to provide an internal flange l6 and enlarged portion 'I'I adjacent the outwardly extended end thereof. The outer diameter of the spindle 69 is reduced at its inner end, as indicated at I8, which reduced portion i provided with a collar I9 to afllx the spindle against longitudinal movement. The collar I9 is provided with a set screw by means of which it is attached to the spindle and ha a radial extension 8I in which is machined a slot 82 for the reception of the switch arms 83 and 84 of a double-pole double-throw switch 84. From the above it will be seen that rotary movement of the spindle 69 caused by the pedal I2 will actuate the switch 85. This switch 85, as will be later described, will cause rotary movement of the turret 3 in either direction by controlling the forward and reverse operation of the motor 42. For example, swiveling of the pedal to the right, as facing the pedal from the pilots seat 45, will cause a clockwise rotation of the turret.

while swiveling the pedal to the left will cause a counter-clockwfse movement.

Mounted for reciprocating movement in reducing bushings 88 and 81 provided in the bore 151s a rod '88 provided with a hinged extension 80 whi'ch is pivotally attached at 90 to the bifurcated extension I3 of the pedal I2. The inner extremity of the rod 88 carries spaced segment 9| between which is engaged the end of the switch-on 92 of a single-pole double-throw switch 93; This switch 93 is adapted to control the operation of the leg 8 in a manner to be hereinafter set forth.

To assure a neutral or oii" position of the switches 85 and 93, I provide centering mean for the pedal I2. The centering means for the pivotal or up and down movement of the pedal I2 are best shown in Figure 11. These means comprise a flange 94 intermediate the ends of the rod -08 which, when the pedal is in its neutral position, lies within the internal flange 16. On either side of the flange 94 is a collar 95 of greater diameter than the diameter of the flange 94, and a compression spring 98 is positioned between each one of these washers 95 and the bushings 88 and 81. To center the swiveling or right and left movement of the pedal I2, I provide a flanged plunger 91 slidable in a well 98 formed in each side of the casing '61. These plungers are loaded by means of springs 99 and are adapted to engage each side of the radial extension M of the collar I9. This structure is best shown in Figure 10. I

The operating leg 8 may be constructed as shown in Figure 12 where the numeral I represents the water jacketed cylinder which is mounted centrally of the body I having an extension IOI projecting into the conical well 5. The cylinder I00 is externally flanged at I02 for attachment to the body or to the shell I and is likewise flanged at its upper extremity I02 where it is attached to a cylinder head I03 provided with a cutaway frusto-conical flange I04 which is, in turn, attached to the bottom surface of the well 38. Mounted to reciprocate in the cylinder I00 is a telescoping piston comprising an inner sleeve I05 upper extremities of the sleeves I01 and I05 when r the leg is in its colla sed position.

Secured in the bottom of the cylinder I00 is a bushing II3 for anti-frictional engagement of the sleeve I08 with the cylinder. Similar bushings I I4 are provided in the lower extremities of each of the sleeves I01 and I08, while a bushing H5 is secured in the bottom of the sleeve I05. Each of these bushings II3II5 has an inside diameter slightly less than the outside diameter of the cylinder into which it flts to provide shoulders coacting with the bottoms of the flanges I09 to limit the extensible movement of the leg.

Located between the leg-portion cylinder I05, I01 and I08 and the water jacketed cyl nder I 00 are shock-absorber coil springs I05 and I03 and combination shock-absorber port-valve regulator coil spring I 08. These springs are secured in place by means of bushings H4 and bushing H3. The function of coil spring I08 will be described later in the description of the function of the tank.

A hollow piston II6 having a ball III formed on its end is slidably mounted in the lower end of the bore of the sleeve I05. The ball I" is retained in a socket II8 by means of an annular cap 8' to provide a universal connection of the piston II8 with a foot member II9 which has a resilient pad II9 secured to the bottom thereof to provide a frictional ground engaging surface for the foot. Interpositioned in the bore of the sleeve I05, intermediate its ends, is a partition I to form in the lower end of the bore a hydraulic cylinder for the piston member I IS. The partition I20 also serves as a seat for one end of a helical shock absorbing spring I2I, the opposite end of which bears against an internal flange I22 formed in the bore of the hollow piston H6 to normally force the piston outwardly from the sleeve I05. The hydraulic cylinder is fllled with a liquid I23 which is controllably bled through an orifice I24 formed by the flange I22 by means of a metering pin I25 to dampen the movement of the piston IIB.

To provide means for locking the leg 8 in its collapsed position, the following structure is provided. The bushing II 3 is peripherally grooved, as shown at I26, intermediate its ends and is slotted, as at I2'I, from its upper extremity to the groove I 25 to provide a plurality of longitudinal segments I28. A brakeband I29 retained in a groove I29 formed in the circumference of the bushing II 3 has one of its ends secured to the cylinder lilll as shown at I30. The opposite end of the brakeband I29 is provided with a block I3l which is adapted to be engaged by a piston I32 of a hydraulic cylinder I33. By reference to Figure 13, it will be seen that actuation of this piston I32 will cause the upper portion of the bushing II3 to be restricted against the sleeve I08, thereby locking it against movement with respect to the cylinder I00. In order to provide this locking action also for the sleeves I01 and I05, the bushings H4 are likewise peripherally grooved, as shown at I34, and are also longitudinally slottedat I35 to form resilient segments I 38. Push pins I31 are slidably mounted in radial apertures formed in the sleeves I01 and I08 to register with the upper ends of the resilient segments I38 of the bushings H4 and also with segments I28 of the bushing II3. By means of this structure, constricting movement of the bushing II3 will be transmitted to the resilient segments I36 of the bushings II4 to clamp the sleeves I01 and I05 in the collapsed position.

The cylinder head I03 is provided with a fuel injector pump designated generally as I38. This pump comprises an atomizing nozzle I39 and a fuel cylinder I40 in which is mounted a piston MI. The piston III terminates at its upper extremit in a second piston of substantially larger diameter which is operatively contained in a pneumatic cylinder I43 adapted to be supplied with compressed air through a line I44 controlled by a three-way solenoid operated valve I45. A scavenging valve I48 loaded by means of a spring I4! is seated in the head I 03. The valve I48 is a check-type valve and provides for one-way flow through a duct I48'in which is fltted a solenoid valve I49 for controlling the flow of scavenging air from a line I50 into the cylinder I00. This solenoid valve is so constructed that it is at rest either opened or closed. The cylinder head I03 also is provided with a normally closed bleed valve I5I which is adapted to close an exhaust orifice I 52. Opening of the valve I5I is effected by means of a solenoid mechanism I53.

Operation of the leg 8 is by internal combustion of fuel oil on a two-cycle Diesel principle which is controlled electrically from the pilot's turret 3. Directional control of the tank is by hydraulic means changing the relative position of the tank axis to the plane of rotation of the gyroscope stabilizer as described above. Means for effecting these operations, together with the operation of the turret 3, is shown diagrammatically in Figure 16 where the numeral I55 represents an internal combustion engine whose drive shaft is coupled to an air compressor I56. The compressor I56 delivers compressed air to a tank I51 which is provided with an outlet line I58 controlled by the valve I59 to supply air for driving the pairs of gyroscopes I4 and I5. The second line I60 communicates with the tank I51 to supply compressed air for operation of the fuel pump I38 and for scavenging the cylinder I through the valve I49. A generator I6I, adapted to charge storage batteries I62, is driven from the compressor I56 which also supplies power to drive a pump I63 for circulating cooling liquid through the jacket of the cylinder I00.

Also coupled to the shaft of the engine I55 are oil pumps I64 and I65 whose inlets are respectively connected by means of lines I66 and I61 to a fuel oil tank I68 and a tank I69 which contains fluid for operation of the hydraulic mechanisms. The delivery side of the fuel oil pump I64 is provided with a line I which communicates with the fuel injection pump I38. A relief valve I1I is interposed in the line I10 and provided with a bypass line I12 to return oil in excess of predetermined pressure to the tank I68.

The delivery side of the pump I65 is connected with a line I13 in which is a relief valve I14 and a return bypass line I leading to the tank I69. Line I13 communicates with the inlet ports of each of the control valves 49 and 43', 50 and 50' whose exhaust ports are connected with a return line I16 leading back to the supply tank I 69. The valves 49 and 49' are respectively provided with conduits I11 and I11 which lead respectively to the rod and head end of the cylinder while the cylinders 50 and 50 are similarly provided with conduits I18 and I 18' which extend to the rod and head ends of the hydraulic cylinder 24. Connected to the delivery and return lines I13 and I16 are pipes I19 and I80 which communicate with a solenoid valve I8I which controls the delivery of hydraulic fluid through a line I82 to the brake cylinder I33.

To initiate the movement of the propulsion mechanism, I provide a chamber 200 formed in the head I03 and communicating with the cylinder I00. A series of cartridges 20I of suitable explosive is inserted in this chamber and a solenoid operated series of detonators 202 is ailixed thereto as shown in Figure 15. A detonator is then actuated to fire a cartridge, the expanding gases causing the pressure within the combustion chamber to reach the flash point of the atomized fuel oil forcing the leg 8 to extend to the exhaust ports IN. This reaction is so designed that the proper proportions of air and oil vapor are present for combustion. When pressure is released, the gas is scavenged and the normal operating cycle put into operation. This enables the tank to get underway very rapidly which is an invaluable asset when acting as a pill box on the field of battle.

Electric current is supplied from the battery I 62 through a ground connection I85 and leads I86 and I81 to the switch blades 8! and 02 or the d. p. d. t. switch 85 to the blade 92 of the s. p. d. t. switch 93.

The lead I81 also supplies current toenergize the solenoid bleed valve I53 throu h a switch I88 and line I88, while actuation of the solenoid brake valve I8I is controlled through a switch I89 and a lead I90 connected with the lead I81. Forward and reverse operation of the motor 42 is respectively controlled by a relay I9Iand a relay I92 adapted to close circuit from the battery I62 through the lead I86 to the motor 42 and to ground. Actuation of these relays is selectively effected by energizing them through the double-pole double-throw switch 85, the switch arm 8| of which is adapted to complete the circuit through the line I 81 to the windings of either of these relays I9I or I92 depending upon direction of movement of the arm 8|. The arm 82 of the switch 85 is moved in synchronism with the arm 8| to supply current to energize a magnet I93 to release a brake I94 associated with the motor 42. g V

In operation the engine I is started to drive the compressor, oil pumps, gyroscopic stabilizer, etc., associated therewith, and the pilot seated in the turret 3 places his foot in the pedal 12. By closing the switch I88, the solenoid valve I49 is energized. This supplies compressed air through the scavenging valve I46 and into the cylinder I00 to initiate movement of the tank, one of the cartridges 20I is detonated and, simultaneously, fuel injected through nozzle I39 into compression chamber I00. The fuel is injected by the upward rocking of pedal 12, which closes the switch 93, energizing the solenoid valve I45 which in turn supplies compressed air to the cylinder I43 thus injecting the fuel. This fuel mixes with the heated compressed air, ignites, and extends the leg 8, the cycle of operation beginning as the leg 8 is extended, the sleeves I05, I01 and I08 move as one from the compression jacket I00 until the external flange I09 or sleeve I08 comes in contact with the combination shock-absorber portvalve regulator coil spring I08. This regulator coil spring prevents the sleeve I08 from exposing the exhaust ports IOI' due to the gas pressure acting on the sleeves surface in a plane perpendicular to the path of movement of this sleeve with respect to the compression jacket I 00, the

I gas pressure acting on sleeve I01 in a similar manner which is transmitted to sleeve I 08 and the forces created by gravity acting on both sleeves. The regulator coil spring I08 also functions as a shock-absorber which is also the function of coil springs I01 and I05. pression leg becomes fully extended, the force compressing the regulator coil spring immediately becomes great enough to allow the sleeve I08 to move to a more extended position exposing the exhaust ports I 0|. The exhaust ports IOI' also act as pressure release valves during diflerent stages of the extension of leg 8. This function occurs when the pressure within the leg becomes sufficiently great to compress the regulator coil spring I08 by acting on the sleeves I08, and I08 and I01 together. As the exhaust ports IOI may not operate in the first few cycles of propulsion, the bleed valve I53 is opened by depressing pedal 12 allowing the scavenging valve I46 to operate to clear the leg of exhaust gases. This function occurs when the period of least compression is present, at which time the bleed valve I53 reduces the compression still further and the compressed air from the scavenging valve I46 displaces exhaust gases. The scavenging valve I49 operates automatically, opening whenever the pressure in the compression leg permits.

During the above cycles of firing, exhaust and As the comaccuses compression, the tank is put into a series ,of gradually increasing periods of vertical oscillations, the compression of air in the cylinder, caused by the collapsing leg, effecting increasingly, a rebound which not only decelerates the falling movement of the tank but also assists the explosive energy of the fuel oil in the succeeding upward swing. As the amount of the oscillations increases, the whole tank leaves the ground.

During this initial movement, the gyroscopes I4 and I5 are rotating in planes parallel to the axes of the leg, thus stabilizing the tank in a vertical movement. The pilot rotates the turret 3 by swiveling the pedal 12 either to the right or,

left to give a forward or reverse rotation to the motor 42 and thus a right or left rotation of the turret until he is facing in the direction desired to maneuver the tank.

After this has been accomplished and at or near the upward limit of one of the oscillations, he pushes forward on the control stick 54, thereby changing the angular position of the leg rear wardly with respect to the vertical axis of the gyroscopic stabilizer. Since the center-of gravity of the tank is now somewhat forward (in the direction of travel) of the foot 9, the tank will tend to tilt angularly forward when the leg next comes in contact with the ground. During this 1. A vehicle comprising a load carrying portion, a ground-engaging displacing member reciprocable toward and away from the load carrying element, power means for actuating the displacing period, while the leg is in contact with the ground,

the pilot resets the gyroscopic stabilizer which has slipped while exerting the force necessary to change the angular position of the leg while at larly forward by moving the control stick towards himself. The tank completes the trajectory movement as shown in diagrams VII and VIII, the leg again contacting the earth and compressing during which time the pilot again pushes forward on the stick to again reset the gyroscopic' stabilizer and at the same time assist in changin the angle of the leg as shown in diagrams IX through II to repeat the cycle. To operate the tank so that it can move in any direction, the pilot moves the control stick in any direction in such a manner that the angular position of the leg upon contacting the ground combines with the horizontal component motion of the tank to produce said direction. The pilot determines the direction of the forthcoming trajectory at the top of the preceding trajectory. It is possible for the direction of the tank's trajectory to vary as much as 180 in each succeeding cycle. This operation is continued as long as movement is desired or until the destination has been reached, at which time the bleed valve B53 is opened to relieve compression in the cylinder I00 and allow the tank to settle to the ground.

The design of the fuel injection pump is such that it gives the operator direct control over the member to impel the vehicle away from the ground, gyroscopic means to stabilize the vehicle,

and means to tilt thegyroscope to control the direction of impulsion of the vehicle fromthe round.

2. A vehicle comprising a body portion, an extensible leg attached to the body portion designed to support and propel the vehicle, yroscopic means to stabilize the vehicle, and means to inject ,an explosive material into the said leg to form an explosive mixture with air in the leg, whereby the leg will be extended after theexplosion of the mixture.

3. A vehicle comprising a body portion, an extensible leg attached to the body portion designed to support and propel the vehicle, gyroscopic means to stabilize the vehicle, means to inject fuel oil into the said leg to form an explosive mixture with air in the leg whereby the leg will be!" extended after explosion of the mixture, and means to regulate the amount of injected fuel.

4. A vehicle comprising a body portion, an extensible leg attached to the body portion designed to support and propel the vehicle, gyroscopic means to stabilize the vehicle, a pump to inject fuel oil into the said leg to form an explosive mixture with air in the leg whereby the leg will be extended after explosion of the mixture, and

means for regulating the pump to control the acceleration of the tank by controlling the amount of injected fuel.

5. A vehicle comprising a body portion, a gyroscope to stabilize the vehicle, a hollow collapsible leg attached to the body portion and designed in extended position to support the vehicle, a ground-engaging piston nested in the lower ex-' tremity of the leg, and means to inject an explosive material into the leg to form with air in the leg an explosive mixture whereby the piston will be forced outwardly after the explosion of the mixture.

6. A vehicle comprising a. body portion, a gyroscope to stabilize the vehicle, a hollow collapsible leg attached to the body portion and designed in extended position to support the vehicle, a ground-engag piston nested in the lower extremity of the leg, a pump to inject a fuel into the upper portion of the said leg to form with air in the leg an explosive mixture whereby the piston is forced outwardly after the explosion of the mixture, and means for regulating the pump to control the amount of injected fuel.

7. A vehicle comprising a body portion, a gyroscope to stabilize the vehicle, a hollow collapsible leg attached to the body portion and designed in, extended position to support the vehicle, a piston nested in the lower extremity of the leg, 9. groundengaging shoe attached to said piston, a pump to inject a fuel into thelupper portion of the said leg to form with air in the leg an explosive mixture whereby the piston is forced outwardly after the explosion of the mixture, and means for regulating the pump to control the amount of injected fuel.

8. A vehicle comprising a body portion, a load carrying element designed to support the vehicle, a ground-engaging element mounted in the load carrying element and reciprocable toward and away from the load carrying element, power means for actuating the said element to impel the vehicle away from the ground, means Within the body portion for stabilizing the vehicle, said means being formed of a plurality of diametrically opposed bodies capable of rotation in opposite directions in a horizontal plane, and means for tilting the gyroscope about an axis perpendicular to the said plane of rotation.

9. A vehicle comprising a body portion, a load carrying element designed to support the vehicle, a ground-engaging element mounted in the load carrying element and reciprocable toward and away from the load carryin element, power means for actuating the said element ,to impel the vehicle away from the ground, means within the body portion for stabilizing the vehicle, said means being formed of two pairs of diametrically opposed bodies, each pair of said bodies being-capable of rotation in opposite directions in a horizontal plane, and means for tilting the gyroscope about an axis perpendicular to the said plane of rotation.

10. A vehicle comprising a body portion, a hollow collapsible leg attached to the body portion,

a ground engaging piston nested in the extremity of the leg, means to inject a fuel into the leg to form with the air an explosive mixture whereby the piston is forced outwardly after the explosion, thereby impelling the vehicle away from the ground, a gyroscope mounted within the body portion, said gyroscope being formed of two diametrically opposed bodies capable of rotation in opposite directions in a horizontal plane, and means for tilting the gyroscope about an axis perpendicular to the said plane of rotation to control the direction of impulsion of the vehicle from the ground.

11. A vehicle comprising a body portion, a hollow collapsible leg attached to the body portion, a ground engaging piston nested in the extremity of the leg, means to inject a fuel into the leg to form with the air an explosive mixture whereby the piston is forced outwardly after the explosion, thereby impelling the vehicle away from the ground, a gyroscope mounted within the body portion, said gyroscope being formed of two pairs of diametrically opposed bodies, each pair of said bodies being capable of rotation in opposite directions in a horizontal plane, and means for tilting the gyroscope about an axis perpendicular to the said plane of rotation to control the direction 

